Graduate Learning Outcome Statement
Master of Arts in Biology
Master of Science in Biology

Mission Statement
The Graduate Program of the Department of Biology is committed to providing an excellent advanced education, which will focus on the principles of science in general and biology in particular. The Graduate Program offers its students a curriculum that stresses the latest concepts, theories, and technology in the biological sciences; it also provides students with the opportunity to conduct original research with an active scientist.

The Graduate Program of the Department of Biology will remain relevant to the overall goals of the Department using pedagogical techniques including offering advanced courses in the biological sciences that complement existing undergraduate classes. In addition, a primary goal of the Graduate Program of the Department of Biology is to support original scientific research that is of high quality and suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals. The Graduate Program provides a structured system to implement and provide an assessment (accountability) of the advanced degrees (M.S. and M.A.) offered by the Department of Biology.

An additional objective of the Graduate Program of the Department of Biology is to make the University of North Florida a regional leader in the biological sciences through its recognition of outstanding teaching and research. The quality of the program is assessed by tracking graduate student metrics (such as GRE scores and grade point average), student research (which includes publications and presentations), grantsmanship, and employment or academic placement of program graduates.

Expected Learning Outcomes
The Department of Biology has both Master of Science and Master of Arts degree programs with their respective Learning Outcomes as below:
General Outcomes of both programs:
• Achieve a comprehensive understanding of the biological sciences with an emphasis in Ecology/Evolution or Molecular and Cell Biology/Microbiology. Students will have baseline knowledge and ability to teach a freshman level undergraduate course in biology.
• Demonstrate writing and critical thinking skills that are commensurate with a graduate level (Masters) degree in the biological sciences.
• Understand, articulate, assess, and apply major accepted concepts and empirical evidence in the biological sciences for understanding the biotic (living) world.

Specific Outcomes: M.S. Biology
• Achieve advanced practical research skills in both laboratory and field settings by conducting original scientific research.
• Collect, analyze, and relate original scientific data using appropriate research design, statistic analysis, and methodological techniques to existing evidence in the biological sciences.
• Develop advanced scientific writing, analytical, and presentation skills culminating in a thesis and public oral thesis defense.
• Preparation for professional biological research as a practicing scientist and/or continuing graduate in an academic setting (Ph.D. or health-related graduate program).

Specific outcomes: M.A. Biology
• Achieve an advanced understanding of relevant biological topics and advanced scientific writing skills culminating in a comprehensive review paper.
• Preparation for advanced teaching in primary and secondary schools.

Assessment Plans
The quality and success of the Graduate Program in the Department of Biology will be assessed in a number of ways:
• Oral comprehensive exams will be used to test if students have a baseline knowledge of freshman level biology and a greater understanding of their field.
• A written thesis (M.S. program) or review paper (M.A. program) will be expected of each student completing the respective graduate program.
• Students will be encouraged to present their scientific research at science meetings in the form of poster or oral presentations.
• Students will be encouraged to publish their scientific research in peer reviewed journals.
• Students will be asked to complete an assessment analysis of the graduate program upon completion their respective program of study.